1. Explaining Scientific Research to General Audiences
METR 4433 Mesoscale Meteorology Spring, 2016 Semester Kelvin K. Droegemeier School of Meteorology University of Oklahoma

2. Many Resources Are Available
Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science (
American Association for the Advancement of Science (
National Geographic (

3. The Need is Great

4. How to Do It!
Do not “dumb down” the science but use special techniques to make it understandable
Know the background and interests of your audience
Begin by providing a context for why the topic is important – the “so what” factor – in ways that resonate with the audience
Be well versed in your subject and make no more than three points
Be enthusiastic and engaging, not too serious

5. How to Do It!
Capture the audience in a dramatic way at the start, e.g., ask a question, make a compelling comment, do a show of hands
Use analogies to which people relate
Use props (including your body)
Tell a simple story to make a point that is relevant and meaningful to everyday life
Use graphics/cartoons that aren’t complicated
Involve your audience via questions
Practice with non-experts